RCMS Seal

The seal of the Richmond County Medical Society is rich in symbolism. The Latin translation for Mens Alitur Discendo is interpreted as: The Mind is Fed by Learning. Hygeia, the lady represented in the center, is in Greek Mythology, the goddess of health, and the daughter of Aesculapius, the god of medicine. Hygeia was worshipped along with the son of Apollo -- Aesculapius -- who appears in the form of a serpent. The serpent always played a part in ancient medicine and Aesculapuis is always represented by the serpent -- a symbol of god as a physician, as a healer, as a savior and his healing powers. The serpent is depicted as drinking from a bowl of medicine. While in classical times Aesculapius and Hygeia were the god and goddess of Health, in later times they became protecting deities.